Canoe & Kayak Magazine - CK Women

This month the 100th issue of Canoe & Kayak UK has been published. Since late 2007, I've been writing a column for them: CK Women. Each month I look at a different issue or news related to women in paddle sport.

For something a bit different I thought I'd post my first introductory article that appear in CKUK back in issue 80; entitled 'Man Up!'

‘Paddle like a man’ is one the best pieces of advice I have ever been given. The idea of kayaking like a guy is vague yet encompasses and accomplishes a lot in one very short sentence. When I’m having a day where I’m frustrated at myself, not achieving what I want or just getting beaten all round, it’s usually because I’m ‘paddling like a girl’.

Now this is not to say by any means, that we are second-rate or mediocre, but there is a lot to be learnt from our male counterparts that we could use with our female brilliance. Us girls, tend to have good technique to rely on because we can’t rely so much on muscle power and we ask a lot of questions to grasp an understanding before even the first attempt of something new. On the whole, men are more aggressive, have more strength and learn by trial-and-error. These are all traits that help towards success in kayaking. So when I ‘paddle like a man’, I put in a whole lot of ‘grrr’ and go for it, I stop asking questions and find out for myself. When faced with an uncertain situation, I think, what would a guy do? For me, if a bloke of the same skill level is running the rapid or trying a new move, then why shouldn’t I? It’s easy to assume you’re not up to a task because of you’re a girl and to be looking for assurance and guidance from the males of your group. A lot of girls find they may turn down a challenge that a guy of the same capacity takes up.

Recognise your ability without the labels and preconceptions and don’t let your sex dictate what you do or don’t do. We should not be held back by our gender, we need to acknowledge and appreciate our differences. We think and learn in our own way and, most obviously, we build differently, all of which has an impact on our paddling and progression. Classically, it’s assumed that of course we all like pink and to have a good cry on the river, but I know of more than one guy this applies to as well. Our differences are practical and actual. Combining both typical male and female characteristics can help us be the best we can be and push the sport further and further. It’s time we had a place just for the ladies. This is it. I’ll be reporting the latest news from around the sport, discussing hot topics and current issues affecting women paddlers and taking a look at female-specific gear. Hopefully, all to motivate, entertain and help all the females out there. Next time you get on the water, whatever you’re doing, taking a look at how the guy do it and try ‘paddling like a man’.

Springtime and Sunshine

Spring had finally sprung here in the UK and there’s been lots going on. At the end of March the annual National Student Rodeo took place along side a new show, Paddlefest. Held at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, the two events had had to be combined, as the winter’s refurbishment to the slalom course had not been completed in time for the NSR planned for three weeks earlier. The site had been shut since December and everyone was eager to see what changes had been made. Some 600+ competitors turned out the student competition and many more came to visit the various trade stand and talks at the Paddlefest. I spent the weekend busily working for Love it Live it on their stand.

Sam Ward (founder of LiLi) surveying the scene - hundreds of students from all over the country

This year's Rodeo was space themed

Leeds University - the overall winners

It was love at first sight for Jenny the MOP monster and the NSR boat

I stayed an extra day to paddle the ‘new’ course without all the crowds. Since the slalom site open in 1986 there’s been a few changes here and there but this was the first time it’s been fully closed and revamped in it’s history. The aim was to create faster flows and generally make a better course for all users, and I think they actually have. Some people weren’t keen on the idea and were concerned of what the changes would bring, but having had the course the same for so long, I think it was about time. The course now has more small features providing more opportunities for play and quite a different overall feel.

McNastying in the top hole

Looping in the muncher -
where you no longer hit the bottom all the time and there's an eddy on surfer's left too!

Going clean

This past weekend, for the long Easter break, I had my mum and my sister visiting in my current residence in North Wales. Somehow I agreed to hike up Snowdon with them and my boyfriend’s mum, for a girls’ day out. It’s the highest mountain in Wales lying at an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level. With tons more experience than me, the other 3 were keen for the circular Horseshoe path, which involves going up the Crib Goch route. Turns out this is quite tough, you have to scramble along a crazy arête with scary drop-offs either side. Not my usual idea of a fun day out! My legs were killing by the end of the 8 hours walking but it was quite rewarding for the views we got.

It seemed everyone in the whole of Wales had had the same idea as us; we were actually queueing to get on to the ridge!

The next day, much to my relief, I was back in my boat. This time, over in the far west of Wales, on the Isle of Anglesey. I hadn’t been to Stanley Embankment before but had heard a lot about it and was keen to check it out, especially it was so warm and sunny! As the tide rises, the water flows through a tunnel into an inland sea and forms a lovely wave. Although it wasn’t very steep, it had a nice retentive pile and various wave moves were possible. There were quite a few people out enjoying themselves, including a few paddlers also trying to bodyboard the wave, but it didn’t feel too busy and the vibe was ace.

GB Team Selection 2009 - Results

Unseasonally mild weather, glorious sunshine and a green three-gate wave made for the perfect conditions at yesterday's selection event for the 2009 Great Britain Canoe and Kayak Freestyle Team. Making the cut for the team means a place at the World Championships, being held in Thun, Switzerland, later this year.

Different from previous years, this time selection was just a one day competition. It was held on the infamous Hurley Weir, just west of London on the River Thames. Thankfully the water levels held on 3 gates producing a sweet green wave in the centre. It proved to be quite unretentive at times with many people only manage two or three moves before flushing.

Sam Anderson cleaning into 5th position

I'd spent a fair amount of time practising down at Hurley over the past month or so but despite all my preparation, I was so nervous when it came to my turn to compete. 4 45second-long rides were all you had to show what you could do. I was so stoked to produce in competition what I had been doing in training, and pleased I performed at my best. I was up against some serious competition in the senior women's class, with various current and former Champions taking part. Fiona Jarvie, current European Champion, twice World's Bronze Medallist and my paddling partner for the past week, took 1st place with consistent air blunts and backstabs, making it 12 years on the GB Team. I wasn't sure where my rides would place me, but was ecstatic to find it was 2nd position! Just behind me, was Lowri Davies. Lowri's been at the top for a few years now, winning the Europeans in 2006, but this will actually be her first senior World Champions (as it will be for me too). We were juniors on the team together some 6/7 years ago, so I'm glad to be on the team with her again. I'm super happy for both ladies! Also putting in a good performance was Flic Meares, taking the reserve place in 4th. Here's the Senior Women's Class results:


Here's the junior women's and OC1 results;



In the C1 class, last year's World Cup winner, David Bainbridge left it all to his last ride:


I didn't manage to get a photo of the Squirt results, but in the men's squirt class it was James Reeves, Chris Jones and Pete Cornes taking the top three spots and in women's it was Claire O'Hara, Emma Runciman and Sara James.

The Junior Men's saw a few changes for this year. Local lad, Ben West, moved up from his last year's reserve place to take the win and young Arron Layton put in a solid performance to take 2nd. Rather than busting out the big moves early, Arron played it a bit safe, getting all his basic moves in first. This seemed to be the best tactic for the water level and paid off well for those who went with it. Here's the rest of the results for the junior boys:


In the senior men's category it was local little man, Doug Cooper taking the glory. Lil' Dougie has given himself some what of reputation for talking the talk but yesterday it was all action with his clean pan am and huge aireal back blunts.

Doug Cooper

And here's the senior men's final scores:

For some more photos, Chris Jones has posted some from the women's and C1 class here, thanks for those Chris.

Congratulations to all! I'd especially like to say well done to James Benns, hailing from my old Canoe Club in the flat lands of Suffolk, who made 5th place in the Junior Men's at the tender age of 13!

Well done to all the organisers and volunteers who made yesterday such sucess. Thank You!

Means of Production

Means of Production is a brand spanking new kayaking film featuring some nice friends of mine. The movie, by Max Bilbow, is getting it's worldwide release this April and it's really rather good. It's jam packed full of awesome locations, lots of hucking drops and huge rapids and tons of big air freestyle stuff. There's also some funny out-takes and extras to be found on the DVD. Check out the trailer to see for yourself:



For a more independent review than mine... click here

More Uganda...

Check out the my latest post over on the level six blog; more photos and stories from my last few months in Uganda...Click Here...thanks to them for all their support and awesome gear!